Overview of the Silicon Carbide Ceramics Market
The rising applications of silicon carbide in the automobile sector are uplifting the scope of the materials in the automotive industry. The size of the global silicon carbide ceramics market is expected to rise from USD 1.35 billion in 2024 to USD 2.37 billion by 2035. The progress of the sector clings to a moderate CAGR of 5.25% through the forecast period.
Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics have been a cornerstone in industrial applications for over a century, prized for their exceptional hardness and toughness, the highest among commercially available ceramics.
SiC ceramics are widely utilized across multiple sectors, including electronics and electrical, automotive, metallurgical, metal mining, machine manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and more. The global market is projected to grow steadily, propelled by increasing industrial automation and ongoing economic development.
Electronics and Automotive: Core Markets for SiC Ceramics
The electronics & electrical (E&E) sector is the largest consumer of SiC ceramics, using them in semiconductors, diodes, circuit boards, and composites. SiC’s excellent thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, acid and corrosion resistance make it ideal for such applications.
In the automotive sector, SiC ceramics are used in high-performance components like brake discs, as well as oil additives to reduce friction and emissions.
These properties, coupled with the rapid growth of automotive manufacturing, particularly in China, which produced over 90 million vehicles at a 6% growth rate, make this sector a primary driver of market demand.
The Asia-Pacific region dominates the SiC ceramics market. APAC leads in automotive production and consumption, further fueling SiC demand.
Expanding Application Scope: New Opportunities
Beyond E&E and automotive, SiC ceramics are increasingly used in machinery manufacturing, metallurgic applications, aerospace & defense, and niche sectors like ballistic protection, jewelry, and sporting goods.
Rising industrialization and technological upgrades are driving demand for high-tech machinery, defense equipment, and steel production, each of which benefits from SiC’s superior properties.
High Prices: A Market Challenge
Despite its advantages, SiC ceramics remain among the most expensive ceramic materials, surpassed only by beryllium alloys and graphite. High costs have encouraged industry players to seek alternatives, such as gallium nitride (GaN), which offers high-voltage performance and lower leakage currents at a reduced cost.
GaN is increasingly competing with SiC in semiconductor applications, limiting SiC’s broader adoption despite its superior physical properties.
Conclusion
The SiC ceramics market is poised for growth, driven by industrial automation, expanding automotive and E&E sectors, and emerging applications in defense and metallurgic industries. However, high costs and competition from alternatives like GaN remain challenges.
Future market expansion will likely depend on technological innovation, targeted R&D investments, and the discovery of cost-effective alternatives or complementary materials to broaden SiC ceramic adoption.